Sundown at the Hurricane Hole





Saturday Evening at the Hurricane Hole in Key West can be very relaxing and beautiful.  ;o)

 

 

Old Boats, Beaches and a Mug of Rum

     This morning I was thinking about how many times I've walked along the beaches of some of the Caribbean Islands and see so many old boats that are sun aged and just left to their own survival.   This day is for these old boats that once were the pride of their owners and able to navigate the sea.   Some of these boats were lucky enough to be restored, but most are relegated  to a life of a slow rotting away.   I find many of these sitting on beaches of on the rocks of every island that I ever been on.  In the Bahamas after Hurricane Francis or the Keys after Hurricane Wilma, you would see these boats scattered everywhere.

     Many have been crushed and disposed of, but others still sit on blocks waiting for mother nature to finish them off.   Some of these provide me with some really great photo opportunities, but most are just a pile of rotting wood or fiberglass.  

    I liken these to old whiskey barrels that bring us some of the finest rums.  These barrels sit in the bodegas of the Caribbean and the rest of the world making or rum smooth and flavorful.   I like it that some of these old boats they become a work of art as they become older.   Many of these boats had great lines and were a proud ride for a brave seafaring captain.  Today they are relics that remind me of their proud past.

     That makes me want to head down to the sea shore today with a nice glass of rum.  Just to watch the thunder storms roll in and listen to the thunder, watch the lightning and rain drops.  It doesn't get any more peaceful than this.  ;o)

Kenny Chesney announces Blue Chair Bay Rum

     Kenny Chesney's Old Blue Chair, and the mystique of the island life, are the inspiration for his new Blue Chair Bay Rums.   There will be three different blends initially when they make their debut in May.   Kenny is a regular to the Caribbean and the islands and you couldn't find a better match than island life, music, and rum.  The perfect rumstylin' scenario, my only regret is they are not hitting the streets until May.


      The three "expressions" of the rum are quite interesting, White, Coconut, and a most interesting idea of Coconut Spiced Rum.   The third will offer my mixology side with a really wide set of ideas for new cocktails.    I can't wait to get my hands on a bottle of this one.   My mind is already going crazy, because I think the idea of spiced rum and coconut rum has a wide variety of applications that will be fun and really tasty.   I am looking forward to trying all three varieties.  These rums are produced on a beach in Barbados with master blender Mike Booth, which bodes for a quality made product.  

     Kenny is not the first to produce a spirit with his endorsement.  Sammy Hagar's Cabo Wabo Tequila or Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Tequila have been successful with their spirits.  There is no reason that Blue Chair Bay Rums won't do equally well if the products live up to the standards of the music.  Kenny said that he was not just getting paid for the use of his name, but "I was involved in creating the blend, the taste, and even the logo".    I guess it is the "Pirate" image of this charismatic singer that will make this spirit a perfect fit to the rum expressions he has chosen.

    I am looking forward to getting my hands on all three of the "expressions" of Blue Chair Bay Rum and the opportunity to put them in the "Rum Lab" and work with them for a new batch of cocktails.  They will be available at the Rum Bar on Duval Street in Key West when the local distributor makes them available to us, but you can plan on being able to get them sometime in May in the town that Kenny so often graces with his impromptu concerts.  ;o)
  

Spring Fever Springtail Libation is Here

Bahama Bob's Rumscooter

    The first days of the arrival of the real spring means that we need a new cocktail.   Here is one idea that will help you enjoy the arrival of the warm days down here in Key West.  Just because the ground hog lied, doesn't mean we can't enjoy spring a few weeks late.  This will be a fun and tasty addition to your recipe book for a warm spring afternoon.   The warmth, my scooter and a case of rum, how can it get any better?



Bahama Bob's Springtail

• 1 1/2 oz. Brinley's Gold Coconut Rum
• 1 oz. Siesta Key Spiced Rum
• 1 oz. Cruzan Key Lime Rum
• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice
• 1/2 oz. Orange Juice
• Splash of Barritt's Ginger Beer

Place all item except the ginger beer in a shaker filled with ice.  Shake until chilled and strain into a pint glass filled with ice.  Garnish with a sprig of mint and an orange wheel.

    For those in the frozen north, I hope you do thaw out pretty soon, I know that it didn't happen soon enough down here.  Anyway let's celebrate spring finally springing  here in Key West.  Even if you are in the still freezing parts of this wonderful world we live on.  ;o)

Spring Has Finally Arrived in Key West!!!

     This has also been a crazy winter here in Key West as well as in the northern tiers of America.   Yesterday we finally had a clear sunny warm day.   I really didn't know how to act, I couldn't decide whether to go out on the boat, or just hang out on the docks and enjoy the warm.

   I did a little of both,  I took a short cruise in the dinghy enjoying the warm sun and smooth waters.   Then I settled down in the rum lab in the back
of the boat for some relaxing me time with my old friend Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva and a bit of Barritt's Ginger Beer as a chaser.  

     The day came to an end at the Hurricane Hole as the sun slid behind the mangroves and into sea to bring a fun day to an end and the fun of the evening into play.   This is the first evening this year that I haven't needed a coat to sit on the docks of the Hurricane Hole in the evening.   I have to say that I really enjoyed the evening of great rum and Karaoke with Gary and Debbie spinning the discs for all of us.

     All in all a great day off and the first warm day of the year all together.   Oh well it was a great day, and now it is back to work and a new adventure.   I guess that is what keeps me interested, I really never know what I am going to come across on any given day at the bar or in my travels down here in the Keys.   I guess I'll just jump on the scooter and get going to see what this day has to offer.  ;o)

April is National Alcohol Aweareness Month

    The Month of April has been designated as National Alcohol Awareness Month by the U.S. Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  The idea was to raise awareness of the woes of alcohol abuse.   Alcohol is a product that touches many of our lives, but it isn't for everyone.  There are people that can not stop with one or two cocktails, and end up habitually caught up in the frenzies of the buzz.   

    There are a large number of people that believe that more regulation is the answer, but for me it is better education.   We have already proved that legislation was a noble experiment that failed when it came to the control of alcohol.    We need to work with people and educate them to the problems of abuse of alcohol and to be able to find the early signs before they get out of control.   There are no laws that will do this.  

     We in the industry have a job to encourage the responsible use of alcoholic beverages and to watch out for people that are abusing it.   It is through responsible sale of alcohol that it will be kept under control.   There can be better management of the chronic alcohol abuser through awareness.  Laws will drive the production of alcohol under ground again and make it more readily available to the under age and chronic abusers.   There is not enough profit for the underground production of alcoholic beverages, but if we make it profitable again, then it will return to the methods of Prohibition.

    Lets work toward educating instead of legislating as a solution to this age old problem.   People helping people is where the answer is really going to lie.  Friends can help friends and parents can teach their children when it is properly handled.   Help all of us to be responsible for our own actions and lets not try to place the burden on someone else, especially not the government.  It is a personal problem and not one of the legislature unless we don't take responsibility for our own use of alcohol.  The government way has proven time and time again not to work, so lets try to be responsible for ourselves for once.   ;o)

One April

     This is the start of a new month, one with lots of exciting things going on.   We have a Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami, The final four for all of the basketball fans, and oh the start of the NBA championships.   I guess that all of these things are of some importance to a lot of different people.  

    For me it is a month that I get to go to Miami for a week of rum revelry and education.   It is going to be a chance for me to meet with many of my friends in the rum industry and all of you rum enthusiasts that will be attending.   I'm really looking forward to getting away and off the rock for a week.  It is my first trip this year and my first outing since last December.   I know, you don't feel to sorry for me, but like any other place, you need to get away in order to keep your mind growing.   A little rum doesn't hurt either.  

     Today is a day off after a very busy week at the Rum Bar, I actually did sleep in this morning, I guess that I'm not a tough as I once was, but I'm still hanging in there.   The book, "Bahama Bob's Cocktails and Tails" is selling very well and hopefully it will be available on line within the week.  still trying to get all of the stuff together to make it work properly.

     It is with great regret that I will no longer be able to participate in the world of Rum.   After four long years in the grip of the long days and hard work, I'm Quitting.

APRIL FOOLS!

Happy Easter Everyone

   The sun hasn't risen yet, but the moon is setting just before sunrise.  We are going to have another beautiful day here in Key West.  You all enjoy your Sunday in a way that best suits you.   have a very Happy Easter this year.   ;o)

"Ask a Rum Expert" at 2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival

      There will be a brand new and exciting feature for the guests of the 2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival.   "Ask an Expert" happening Friday through Sunday will be anopportunity for you to sit down with some of the RumXP's on hand for the event.    This exhibit will feature the same rum experts that were responsible for judging the many rums entered in the RumXP competition earlier in the week.   All of the members of the judging group have traveled extensively to many of the distilleries of the finest rums in the world.  Many have blogs, books, or are active mixologists giving them a unique opportunity to become very well acquainted with these wonderful spirits of the cane that we all enjoy so much.

   I am looking forward to my week of rum in Miami, and being a part of this new exhibit is going to be a blast.    This is an opportunity for all of you who are going to be at the show to get to know all of us RumXP's and learn some more about your favorite and maybe become acquainted with some of the many rums that you will get the chance to try during the "Grand Tasting"part of the week.  These should prove to be some fun and lively discussions that feature one of everyone's favorite subjects.

     Please take some time out of your visit to the 2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival to visit with me and the other RumXP's and see how we can better acquaint you with your favorite rums.   I'm looking forward to visiting with all of the rum enthusiasts that are going to be on hand for the week in Miami.   ;o)

Finally Friday

    This week has finally reached Friday.   Time to put everything aside and have a little bit of fun.  For a lot of you out there it is the end of the work week and time to play.   As I scanned the Facebooks posts most everyone is asking if "it's Friday yet".   This must have been quite a tough week for a lot of people.   But at last here it is "Good Friday".   But it really is Good Friday, leading us into an Easter Weekend. 

    Easter weekend is usually an extended one, generally a family weekend with Easter Bunnies and Easter Egg Hunts for  the little kids and a Huge dinner on Sunday with special hats and bonnets for the rest of us.

    Although this is a very special weekend for the followers of the Christian religion, most of us will just enjoy t
he extra day off in our own special way.   No matter how you celebrate the weekend, enjoy yourselves in your own way.    I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Easter.  ;o)

Phillipsburg and St. Maartens

     Another of the Caribbean gems is St. Maarten and Phillipsburg.   This quaint little port town with its narrow streets is classic European with a colorful island atmosphere.   This island has been passed between Holland, France, England and Spain during its history.  First settled by the Arawak Indians, later discovered by Christopher Columbus on November 11,1493, a holy day of  St. Martin of Tours, and the namesake for the island.

    The island was divided peacefully between the Dutch and the French in 1648, and today the smallest land mass, 37 square miles, shared by two sovereign nations.   It was divided by a foot race between Franch and Dutch men starting at opposite sides of the island and where they met was deemed the dividing line between the two countries.

     Today this is a beautiful gem of the Caribbean boasting some of the most beautiful beaches that can be found anywhere.  This is another of those marriages between the ocean and the land.   From the docks to the beaches all around this island there are spectacular views of the water and the soft white sand beaches that take your breath.  

     Phillipsburg on the Dutch side of the island with all of its historic buildings and narrow streets is quite enjoyable to walk through.   You can find interesting bars, shops, and of course the Guavaberry Distillery visitors center right in the center of town.  There is plenty to keep you occupied on your day in St Maarten, between the shops, the beaches and the beautiful mountains this island will keep your camera shutter in motion the whole trip.

There are also a large number of beautiful sights on the French side of the island as well, but my short time on the island did not allow me to be on both sides, so Phillipsburg got most of my attention.   The one place I did not see that I wanted to was the beach at the end of the runway for Princess Juliana International Airport where the giant airliners wheels barely clear the heads of the people standing by the fences at the end of the runway.

   Your trip to St Maarten / St. Martin is one you will not forget, there are so many things to see and do there.  Pick your interest and you can find something that will keep you occupied.   ;o)

Rum Renaissance Festival is Nearing

     The 2013 Rum Renaissance Festival in Miami is coming upon us very quickly.  If you haven't gotten your tickets and room reservations yet, time is running out.   The festival runs from the 15th through the 21st of April, now is time for you to get your plans set, It will be upon you before you know it,   All of the information you will need to get tickets, information, and rooms is available at the website.   http://www.rumrenaissance.com/  

    This year will feature enlarged space for more rum companies and more events than ever before.   Get the chance to talk with the people that produce your favorite rums.   There will be a Lifestyle events, RumXP Competition for the best of the best brands of rum, plus seminars, of course the Grand Tasting on the final two days of the event.

    Make your plans today I'll be looking for you at the 2013 Miami Rum Renaissance Festival all week long.  I'll also have copies of my new book there for you all week long.   The fun doesn't end for the entire week.   See ya there.  ;o)

Blustery Day Here in Key West

     The thoughts of heading out on the water to enjoy the islands today has been squelched by high winds and a cloudy skies.   There are so many beautiful days down here in the keys, but few of them have fallen this winter on my days off.   I was hoping that I could head out into the Lakes Passage to take some pictures today and just relax for a while in the sun.  It doesn't look to promising at this time for that to happen.

     I'll be doing some articles about the keys  from Key West out to Boca Grande this season, but the weather hasn't co-operated so far this year.   I'm really looking forward to drifting through some of these really cool keys and exploring their different environmental nuances.   I love to chase the new and see all of the different types of plant, fish, birds and animals that inhabit these unique little keys.    Every one of them has a new story to tell and more fun to experience.

    Oh well, there is still next week, hopefully there will be some better weather and I'll be able to get out and enjoy the afternoon in the sun on the water.  ;o)

Pineapple Upside Down Punch

   Here is a nice idea for spring.  This is a nice little punch that you can enjoy out on the patio as the snow thaws and the spring sprouts the blossoms to bring you outside again.  

Pineapple Upside Down Punch

· 1 oz. Vanilla Rum

· ½ oz. Coconut Rum

· ¼ oz. Cherry Liqueur

· ¼ tsp. Apple Pie Spice

· 3 oz. Pineapple Juice

· ½ oz. Orange Juice

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice, and shake until chilled, strain into a pint glass filled with ice and garnish with a pineapple slice.

 

    Give this one a try, I think you'll really enjoy it.  ;o)

Sunny Days Dockside

  
    The view as I walk back toward the boat is always one that puts a smile on my face.

The Osprey: South Florida's "Fish Hawk"

     One of the most impressive sights that I see around the marina and out on the water here in the Florida Keys is an Osprey swooping down and snatching a fish from the sea.   These beautiful brown and white birds are a pretty common sight around the waters of Key West and the surrounding mangrove keys.

     These birds can be spotted at the very top of structures, masts, or trees that overlook the water.    Their nests are easily spotted, usually an interwoven stick structure lined with moss or grass at the top of a tree, tower or nesting platform.   The nests look much like those of a Bald Eagle, but smaller in size.  In the mangrove keys out away from any population Ospreys have even been known to to nest on the ground or at the top of a mangrove.    The Ospreys here in the Keys usually nest in the months of late November through Late February

    These birds are excellent anglers, they sit on a high perch like a sailboat mast and watch the waters until they spot their prey and then they swoop down and grab the fish from the water and fly back to the nest or a high perch to devour their prey in safety.   Seeing one of these impressive birds in action is something that you will not soon forget.  They have a wingspan of five to six feet with brown and white plumage that is easily spotted in flight, but do blend in while on the nest.

     Osprey's like other eagles do mate for life.  There were thought to be some 1500 to 2000 pairs in Florida, but there has not been a good survey of the population since the early 1980's.    The shoreline development has caused a disappearance of  nesting and hunting grounds, that is believed to cause a loss of some of the Osprey and Bald Eagle population.   There have been a lot of work done by Florida power and communications companies providing nesting platforms on the tops of power poles and cell phone towers.  All of these efforts are helping  this fascinating bird survive within our population zones.

    

Bahama Bob"s Cocktails and Tales

   Today is the day when "Bahama Bob's Cocktails and Tales", my new book will be on the shelves.     This has been some two years in the making and this afternoon it will be available for sale at the Rum Bar in Key West.   In the next few weeks it will be available on line.

    The book has been a two year project of research and writing about some of the classic rum cocktails and some 40 plus of my own cocktails creations.   The development of the all of the original cocktails took place in the "Rum Lab" with the help of all of the "lab mice".   This was a 6 month project that has finally come to fruition.   The spiral bound book has laminated covers and the pages are made of cover stock so the book will survive use at the bar with a minimum of care.

    This has been a labor of love for the rum cocktail.  The project was really enjoyable and rewarding effort that allowed me to glean a lot of information about so many classic cocktails doing the research for the book.  The development of the original cocktails was a very interesting task as well.  For every cocktail that made the book there were five or six that didn't work out so well.  

Some of the "Lab Mice"

     I hope you enjoy the book, it is available for $20 at the Rum Bar in Key West or on line it will be available for $20.00 plus $4.00 shipping and handling.   Keep an eye on the blog for the on-line availability, still having some issues getting it set up this week.   ;o)

St. Croix: U.S. Virgin Islands

   I was in a beach day state of mind this morning, so I thought back to a hammock on the beach at Carambola Beach Resort on St. Croix.  This is a stunning white powder sand beach with a spectacular merging of the ocean with the land.  The Kennedy's and the Rockefeller's would vacation back in the 30"s through the 50's to escape their hectic world of politics and business.  

     Though this is the "industrial island" of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is is just as beautiful as any of the other islands once you get away from the rum distilleries and other Fredrikstad industrial areas.   The bad part of this right now St. Croix is embroiled in the rum cover over subsidy controversy that is overshadowing the rest of this beautiful island's assets.   There are quaint small towns like Cristianstad with their narrow streets and historic beautifully maintained buildings that you can wander for hours and just plain get lost in.  

   The natural attraction of the island with its rainforests, mountains and coastlines will live in your memories for many years after your last visit to this gem in the Caribbean.

    

The Fog Cutter: Don The Beachcomber & Trader Vic

     The Tiki Era had two strong stand outs, Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic, both of these guys brought the tiki era  to its peak and made it last for many many years through the 80's.   One of the cocktails that came out of the era was the Fog Cutter.   Per usual the competition between these guys brought two different versions of the Fog Cutter that still survive today.  

     Tony Ramos, Don the Beachcomber's head barman has one version.

Tony Ramos Fog Cutter

• 1 oz. White Rum
• 1/2 oz. Gin
• 1/2 oz. Brandy
• 1/2 oz. Sweet  and Sour Mix
• 2 dashes of Simple Syrup
• 1/4 oz. Cherry Brandy

Blend everything except the cherry brandy with 3/4 cup of crushed ice. Pour into a glass and float the cherry brandy

     Trader Vic, he tended toward the chilled on the rocks style cocktails and thus the Fog Cutter was no exception.

Trader Vic's Fog Cutter

• 2oz. Light Rum
• 1/2 oz. Gin
• 1 oz. Brandy
• 1 oz. Orange Juice
• 2 oz. Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz. Orgeat
• 1/2 oz. Sweet Sherry

Place all ingredients except the sherry and shake until chilled, strain into a pint glass filled with ice and float the sweet sherry and garnish with a sprig of mint.

    These are two of the most famous Fog Cutters, you can choose whether you like the "on the rocks" or "frozen" version better, they both have a lot of flavor and are both very enjoyable.  ;o)

Getting Those Hard to Find Rums

     Hardly a day goes by at the Rum Bar that some one asks me how to find a particular rum.   "I love this Rum, but they don't sell rum in my town.   This is a very common problem, and here is one answer.   Internet Rum Sales!   There are many companies on the net that sell the "spirits of the cane" out there.  

Forrest Cokely

     One of my fellow RumXP's (rum judges and writers) manages one such operation in Costa Mesa, California.  Forrest Cokely runs Hi-Times Wine Cellar, http://www.hitimewine.net/RUM/ a huge store and internet wine and spirits operation that can solve these kind of problems for people all over the United States.    There you will find a great selection of rum and all the expertise that you can ever use.   It is these services that will help all of us that live places where the populous has not become enlightened to rum and the stores just don't stock the fine quality rums we desire.

    These internet operations are numerous, such operations include; Amazon.com, drinkupny.com, totalwine.com, samswine.com, bizrate.com, to thefind.com, all of these are examples of places for you to search for your favorite rums.   There are some restrictions, because of local laws, but this is definitely the place to be looking for those hard to find rums that you tasted at your favorite island bar and get home to find that no one has any idea of what you are talking about.  Give this a try, if you live in a state that restricts the shipping of liquor to you, I'm very sorry, but otherwise these are great sources for the fine rums of the world.  ;o)

Jury Duty Monday

   The one thing about living on a small Island is that you only have a small population and you get called a lot for jury duty.   Today is one of those days, and I have to be there by 8:30 AM to boot.

    I'll see if I get picked this time, last time I did get seated on a jury and had to go all the way through to the end of the trial and had to render a decision.   I guess it is part of the price that we have to pay for living here in paradise.  

    I had never been called for jury duty when I lived in California or North Carolina, and Ive been called 5 times in the seven years that I have lived here in Key West.  Small towns have their good and troublesome things too.  I'll just put up with jury duty and keep living here in the little town and Island of Key West.  ;o)

Happy Saint Patrick's Day: Sunny Afternoons for All

    It is all about the beautiful days and nights down here in the tropics.  For some it is the sunrise and for some the sunsets, but for me I just love the sky and the water joining the sun and the land in a beautiful mural of colors and light.   ;o)  

Foursquare Distillery: Heritage Park

    Richard L.Seale and his family completed a complete restoration and updating of the Foursquare Distillery and finished a Heritage Park on the site in 1996.  Located on the site of a 1636 sugar and rum factory, the beautifully landscaped park is a tribute to the sugar and rum history of the island.   There is a guided tour of the distillery available, along with an arts and crafts center, and a gift shop.   Don't forget to visit the restaurant and sample some of the fine rums produced at the Rum Factory.

     There are several displays of the old sugar processing equipment displayed in several different areas of the park.   Just to wander the grounds and see the remnants of the history of  sugar here on Barbados is very interesting.   Though you will  never see the production of sugar on Barbados of the past, many signs of the sugar days are apparent on the island.

     Though the distillery is in the original old sugar factory building, there is nothing ancient about the way that Richard Seale produces his rum.  This distillery is one of the most modern anywhere in the world and the quality of the rum produced from within the distillery is clear from the first sip.

    Don't forget to visit the Foursquare Distillery and Heritage Park in St. Phillip the next time you are in Barbados, you won't be disappointed.  Don't miss the chance to sample the rums in the restaurant, they are among the best you will find anywhere.  ;o)